Moroni continues explaining
his inability to adequately write like the brother of Jared. Jacob had
explained this on the small plates. “Now behold, it came to pass that I, Jacob,
having ministered much unto my people in word, (and I cannot write but a little
of my words, because of the difficulty of engraving our words upon plates) and
we know that the things which we write upon plates must remain” (Jacob 4:1).
The writings of the
brother of Jared “were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to
read them” (Ether 12:24).
“[Hugh Nibley] explains,
‘Our editor, Moroni, admits the damage … He says that the men of his day were
conspicuously lacking in the peculiar literary gifts of those who wrote the
original book of Ether: “Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like
unto the brother of Jared,” he says, “for thou madest him that the things which
he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read
them” (Ether 12:24) … Moroni in editing Ether is keenly aware of his inability
to do justice to the writing before him.’”[1]
Nephite words are
powerful and great, but their writing does not reflect the power of their
words. “And I [Mormon] know the record which I make to be a just and a true
record; nevertheless there are many things which, according to our language, we
are not able to write” (3 Nephi 5:18).
“[W]hen we write we
behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I
fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words” (Ether 12:25). “But the natural
man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness
unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned [GR
examined, tried, judged]” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
“[Moroni] went on to describe the problem beyond that, saying, ‘we
behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words’ (Ether
12:25). Moroni implies that the writing system of the Jaredites, which he
considered superior to that of the Nephites, accounted for the greater clarity
of that earlier record (as suggested by Ether 12:23–24). Thus it appears that
the script system the Nephite writers were using contributed to the lack of
clarity.”[2]
After writing this,
Moroni tells us the Lord spake to him. Fools, he said, mock. “It is an honour
for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling [IE fomenting
trouble]” (Proverbs 20:3). “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever
a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). They will morn because
they mocked the word of the Lord. His grace is sufficient for the meek. They
will take no advantage of the weaknesses in their writing.
If we turn to the
Lord, he will show us our weaknesses. “Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us
our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great
condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things”
(Jacob 4:7). We are given weaknesses so we will become humble before the Lord.
“For ye see your
calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty,
not many noble, are called [JST chosen]:
“But God hath chosen
the foolish things of the world to confound [GR shame, frustrate] the wise; and
God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are
mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27).
The key is we must
humble ourselves before the Lord. “And inasmuch as they were humble they might
be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to
time” (D&C 1:27). If we do this, his grace will be sufficient. Our
weaknesses will become strengths. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient
for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore
will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon
me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
“The Book of Mormon
prophets insist that the scriptures include both the inspiration of God and
human weakness. Our ability to obtain light from the scriptures (as from the
Church) is related to our capacity to accept the divine inspiration without
condemning the human weakness, trusting the Lord to make weak things strong
(Ether 12;27) in his own due time.”[3]
“Moroni said that
when he ‘heard these words,’ he ‘was comforted’ (Ether 12:29). They can be a
comfort to all of us. Those who do not see their weaknesses do not progress.
Your awareness of your weakness is a blessing as it helps you remain humble and
keeps you turning to the Savior. The Spirit not only comforts you, but He is
also the agent by which the Atonement works a change in your very nature. Then
weak things become strong.”[4]
The Gentiles will be
shown their weaknesses. They will learn faith, hope and charity brings Him. “And
see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in
good works” (Alma 7:24). The Lord is the fountain of all righteousness. “And
behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has
promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the
land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do
keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you” (Mosiah 2:22).
[1] Christ
and Krishna: The Visions of Arjuna and the Brother of Jared, Joseph M.
Spencer, Journal of Book of Mormon
Studies 23 (2014): 60.
[3] Paradigms
Crossed, Kevin Christensen, Review of
Books on the Book of Mormon 7/2 (1995): 191.
[4] “My
Peace I Leave with You,” President Henry B. Eyring, April 2017 General Conference.
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